Microgravity Research for Versatile Investigations

Facility Description

MaRVIn’s interchangeable experiment modules offer heating, cooling, internal fluids and chemicals management, power, data recording, telemetry and video utilities. Imaging support includes high-definition cameras and a high magnification microscope with remotely commanded 22:1 zoom with motorized focus/panning and a 490nm coaxial lighting system. Sample processing from zero to over 1000° Centigrade is supported as a specialty capability of the MaRVIn system to study the joining and fabrication of materials in space.

MaRVIN supports several types of investigations using a versatile Science Tray Assemblies (STAs) approach including, but not limited to soldering and materials joining experiments; material properties such as diffusion constants characterizations; molten materials properties and behavior characterization; and chemical reaction and fluids management studies. A standard STA’s physical envelope size is 255mm x 240mm x 125mm, but custom versions can be crerated for specific apparatus needs.

Sample processing over a wide range of temperatures is supported using efficient thermal management systems developed for MaRVIn to reduce complexity and power requirements. MaRVIn provides interchangeable STAs with remote or locally commanded operations with data telemetry, real-time surveillance, and near real-time science imaging from the ground. Molten materials characterization studies are a MaRVIn system specialty area with extensive personnel experience in thermal management systems including high temperature furnaces for gradient freeze or directional solidification studies. Fluids management studies are also a focus area such as transparent phase change flow behavior and non-Newtonian fluid studies of high-speed particles swarm tracking under precise thermal gradient conditions. MaRVIn offers tracking of micrometer sized particles with its high magnification imaging capabilities at sub-millisecond shutter speeds. Its high resolution monochrome and color cameras offer 9 megapixels sensor size along with area of interest software functions.

MaRVIn also supports material properties measurement such as diffusion rate determinations and multi-phase flow system studies by tailoring the sample module hardware. Additional areas of supported possibilities include investigations into fluid management and chemical reactions using mixing chambers, motorized syringes, custom glassware, rotational mechanisms, thermoelectric cooling/heating, and precision resistance heater modules with controlled heat-up or cool-down ramp rates with processing setpoints from zero to over 1,000°C.

MaRVIn achieves this flexibility using a comprehensive control system with interfaces to the instrumented STAs. This arrangement provides precision control of experiments contained in ground-prepared sample subsystems. A typical STA size is approximately 5 x 10.5 x 10 inches and can optionally be 3D printed for low power experiments and for ground testing/development. A metal tray version is utilized to manage heat rejection and containment requirements of high temperature and/or high-power trays on orbit. A broad range of sensor types and communication channels are available with up to 32 thermocouples in an existing configuration and flexible options for combinations of analog transducers, pulse counters, timing oscillators, etc.

MaRVIn automates data acquisition and control through redundant computing systems, which reduces crew interaction requirements while maximizing sample throughput. It provides a flexible form factor using interchangeable STAs with adaptive sample interfaces. The STA interfaces include a robust selection of sensors such as thermocouples and RTDs, analog and digital IOs, USB, ethernet, power and video functions. A wide range of solidification/heating experiments can be conducted using investigation specific trays within the main housing, or as external processing chambers using a breakout cable system.